Introduction
As we approach Columbus Day, we are going to take time to learn about the men and women who have played a huge role in the land that we live on.
Explorers from every era have braved the unknown to discover new lands. Religious passion, greed, trade, empire building, and a thirst for knowledge have all played parts in the motivation of these explorers and the countries who sponsored them.
The world we know today has been shaped by their adventures. As important as these explorers have been and continue to be in the world's history, they are largely forgotten outside the classroom..
Task
Task 1:
In a group of 3 members research one of the explorers. Investigate these topics about their lives:
- What country were they from?
- When were they alive?
- What were their accomplishments (what did they discover or invent)?
- Find three facts that you find interesting about your explorer.
Task 2
In your group
- Create a poster about your explorer and present it to the class.
- Do your best work: coloring, writing, spelling.
Process
STEP ONE:
CHOOSE AN EXPLORER FROM ONE OF THE LINKS BELOW. MAKE SURE YOU ALL AGREE ABOUT WHAT PERSON TO PICK BEFORE YOU WRITE DOWN HIS NAME.
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/explorers/1500a.shtml
http://cybersleuth-kids.com/sleuth/History/Explorers/
STEP TWO:
With your group members create a poster about your explorer! Follow these guidelines:
1. Each group member is responsible for helping!
- One student is the informant: get the information!
- One student is the recorder: write the information!
- One student is the illustrator: draw the pictures!
2. Include three facts you found interesting about your explorer.
3. Include a picture on your poster (explorer, path he explored, the new land he found)
4. Include the three facts about the explorers life and work.
STEP THREE: PRESENT YOUR POSTER TO THE CLASS. SHARE ALL OF THE NEW INFORMATION YOU FOUND ABOUT YOUR EXPLORER!
Evaluation
Student Names: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
| CATEGORY | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Use of Class Time | Used time well during each class period. Focused on getting the project done. Never distracted others. | Used time well during each class period. Usually focused on getting the project done and never distracted others. | Used some of the time well during each class period. There was some focus on getting the project done but occasionally distracted others. | Did not use class time to focus on the project OR often distracted others. |
| Attractiveness | The poster is exceptionally attractive in terms of design, layout, and neatness. | The poster is attractive in terms of design, layout and neatness. | The poster is acceptably attractive though it may be a bit messy. | The poster is distractingly messy or very poorly designed. It is not attractive. |
| Content - Accuracy | All six facts are neatly displayed on the poster. | 6 accurate facts are displayed on the poster. | 3-4 accurate facts are displayed on the poster. | Less than 3 accurate facts are displayed on the poster. |
| Presentation | Student presents material in an exceptionally clear and appropriate volume. | Student presents material in an audible tone. | Student presents material in an unclear and unaudible volume. | Student does not present material. |
Conclusion
Now that you are done, you have learned many important facts about a very important explorer. You have learned about their major accomplishments and interesting facts about their personal lives. Remember to share this new information with friends and family!